The Krugerrand entered a new era with the launch of the Krugerrand 2000 Programme at the South African Mint and subsequently in New York, in October 1999.  The move responded to a resurgence in demand for gold bullion coins, especially in the United States on the eve of the new millennium.  The issue of newly minted gold bullion coins, of all kinds, worldwide had grown from 1,3 million ounces in 1996 to 2,1 million ounces in 1997 and 3,2 million ounces in 1998.  It exceeded 4 million ounces in 1999, almost four times the level in 1996.  Speaking at the launch of the Krugerrand in 2000, Rand Refinery Managing Director, Paul Streng said that this renewed interest in gold provided an important opportunity to draw prominent attention to the international status of the Krugerrand, support the millions of Krugerrands traded on the secondary market and sell newly minted Krugerrands.

As Paul Streng commented, “The Krugerrand 2000 is the best and most appropriate way to won gold as we enter the new millennium.”  The programme was enthusiastically supported by distributors with newly minted  Krugerrands being exported to the US for the first time in 15 years.